KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 ― Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor does not get involved in the day-to-day operations of Permata, the child development programme that she started, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said.

In a written parliamentary reply, Shahidan explained that as patron of the programme, Rosmah does not handle any administrative, financial or managerial matters, as well as other functions that come under the purview of the civil service.

“Datin Paduka Rosmah is also not involved in making any policy decisions pertaining to the execution of all of the Permata programmes,” he added in the reply to DAP MP Nga Kor Ming.

Shahidan also explained that Rosmah was appointed Permata’s patron in 2007 in her capacity as the prime minister’s wife, adding that her duties largely revolve around supporting, promoting and helping to spread awareness of the programme.

“The appointment of Datin Paduka Rosmah Mansor, as the prime minister's wife, is based on her stature as a well-known individual both inside and outside of the country, her credibility, her big influence and her inclination towards child and teenage development,” Shahidan said.

He added that as the patron, Rosmah has also taken Permata to higher levels, including helping the programme gain recognition overseas in early childcare and education for gifted children.

Shahidan also revealed that the programme has received RM51,248,399 in allocation to manage 88 Pusat Anak Permata (PAPN) centres, including emolument payments to the academics involved, as well as to execute the Permata Pintar, Permata Insan, Permata Seni, Perkasa Remaja and Permata Kurnia programmes.

He said that a development fund of RM4,037,500 was also allocated for the construction of five more PAPN centers.

Shahidan was responding to a question from Nga, who had asked him to state the government allocation for the programme since it began operations and its achievements to date, as well as the roles played by Rosmah in it.

In March, Shahidan said that the federal childcare programme helmed by Rosmah is a success despite stalled development of several of the scheme’s centres amounting to RM4 million.

He said that the programme that has 2,317 participants nationwide was widely supported, when answering G. Manivannan (PKR-Kapar) question on halted works at five Permata centres in two states.

Manivannan had alleged that the Permata programme was a failure as it lacked progression and catered only to children aged four and under, and demanded to know why the scheme was limited to such a short period.